The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-08-12
ENRlCHiNG THE SOIL.
Benefits to Be Derived from the PIowin,
Under of Crops.

Benefits to Be Derived from the Flowing
Under of Crops.
There are several crops that can be
plowed under to good advantage in
building up the fertility of the farm,
and as it is not always possible to Sc
cure sufficient supply of stable ma
nure, it is often the best plan of en-
riching the soil.
But it is very necessary to plan the
farm work so that at the proper time
the crop can be turned under. It will
make IL considerable difference in the
effect upon the soil and the time re-
quired to properly incorporate with
the soil. After the plant has made a
mature growth, which begins general
ly when the seeds have formed and
begin to harden, the larger per cent. of
the plant has turned or is turning to
woody fiber, which, when turned
under, will require a considerable
longer time to rot than if the blowing
had been done earlier. 1t is one essen
tial IN deriving the quickest benefit
from an application of fertilizing ma
terial that it should be thoroughly
mixed with the soil. Green manure.
or rather crops grown with the inten-
ton of blowing under as green ma
nure, must be turned under at stage
when it is reasonably sure to rot in a
short time, and be in condition so
that by cultivating or blowing, it will
become thoroughly incorporated with
the soil and also contain the large st
amount of plant food.
This with the majority of plants is
when the plants have made their
growth. With clover and buckwheat,
it is when the majority of the plants
are in full bloom. With rye and corn,
which is often used for this purpose,
whenever a good growth has been Sc
cured and you are ready to do the plow-
ing, then is usually good time 60 COM
mence. Any time before the plant has
fully matured is preferable to any time
after. 1t is not always convenient to
wait until the plants are in the full
blossom, but the nearer this can be
done the better will be the result Sc
cure. And there should be no ques-
ton but that SO far as possible we
should try to secure the largest amount
of benefit possible from every crop,
whether grown to be plowed under as
a green manure, to feed to the stock or
to sell in market.
In blowing care should be taken to
pillow under as completely as possible.
covering with soil. Often good chain
fastened to the plow will aid material
ly i'll doing this. Lime applied on
clover before it is plowed under will be
beneficial, adding considerably to its
value as fertilizer.
Buckwheat, if sown after wheat or
oats on reasonably well prepared
ground so that good growth can be
secured, and then plowed under when
the larger proportion of the plants are
in full blossom, is next in value to
clover to use as a green manure. and
can often be used very proftably for
this purpose. Rye can be sown in the
fall and allowed to make a good
growth in the spring before blowing
under for corn. Corn or oats can be
sown at any time that the work can be
done. But if possible plan ahead, so
that the crops can be plowed under,
when in a condition to give the largest
amount of benefit to the soil. Let the
crop be what it may, we want to make
it an object to secure it when It con-
tains the largest amount of plant food,
and can be the most readily worked
into the soil.-Cor. Farm, Field and
St0cknaais.